Hearing Loss Symptoms

Studies have shown that over 1 in 5 Americans over the age of 12 suffer from hearing loss, and a large portion of those people do not seek help because they do not realize the severity of their condition or how much it can affect their lives.

Hearing loss symptoms show up gradually which is why it is often difficult to tell if anything is wrong. Sure, if you were 100% positive about it, you would go get some help, but just like with anything else in life, you want to be absolutely certain before you make an important life decision. After all, you wouldn’t pay for a roofer to replace your entire roof on a hunch! Instead, you’d make sure that there is actually a problem that needs fixing.

Luckily, there is a quick survey you can take to see if you are truly suffering from hearing loss symptoms and need to see a hearing loss specialist.

How To Tell If You Have Hearing Loss Symptoms?

Do you have trouble hearing people on the phone?

Do you have a problem following a conversation when two or more people are talking?

Do people complain that the volume is too high when you watch TV?

Do you have to strain/try hard to understand conversation?

Do you have trouble hearing in a noisy background?

Do you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves?

Do many people you talk to seem to mumble or not speak clearly?

Do you misunderstand what others are saying and respond inappropriately?

Do you have trouble understanding the speech of women and children?

Do people get annoyed because you misunderstand what they say?

If you answered YES to three or more of these questions, you should probably see a hearing loss specialist about your hearing loss symptoms.

Doing something about your hearing problems means that will you no longer give incorrect or irrelevant responses during a simple conversation. Never again will you be on edge trying to strain to listen for a doorbell or a phone call.

Other Hearing Loss Symptoms

Of course, there are more symptoms of hearing loss than the list above. Some people suffer from hearing loss symptoms that consist of their ears feeling “full” or “under pressure”. Others hear noises like ringing, buzzing, crickets, and steam. Still others feel dizziness as a result of hearing loss. Those symptoms are a bit easier to pick out – after all, it’s fairly hard to ignore a ringing in your ears. Other hearing loss symptoms take a bit more thought. You may want to sit down and ask yourself; Do you no longer hear normal household sounds?

While it may seem like a blessing in disguise to not be able to hear the dripping of a faucet or the creaking of an old house, these are actually indicators of hearing loss. Just think – if you can’t hear sounds in your own house, what else are you missing out on? There is nothing more frustrating for a family member than them trying to engage you in conversation and getting ignored.

Another good question to ask yourself; does anyone tell you that you speak too loudly? Just like someone who is listening to loud music on their headphones, someone with hearing loss may speak at too high a volume because they have trouble gauging how loud their own voice is. Just like when someone with hearing loss watches TV, what may seem like a perfect volume is in fact abrasive and even painful for others to listen to.

What Should I Do If I Have Hearing Loss Symptoms?

Getting this far is a great first step! One of the hardest parts of dealing with hearing loss is admitting to yourself that you are actually suffering from hearing loss symptoms. If you are having trouble coming to grips with this, just remember – you are not alone.

If you feel like you have been living on an island, or if you do not engage people in conversation because it is too stressful, then you need to see a hearing loss specialist.

Hearing loss can degrade your quality of life and can also alienate family members who become frustrated after having to repeat themselves or speak very loudly when they talk to you.